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For Robbie Jay Band, it’s full steam ahead
The Robbie Jay Band played back-to-back gigs this month at Cleveland’s Beachland Ballroom and House of Blues.
Not bad for a band that has been together for just 10 months.
The Youngstown-based alt-country (or is it Southern rock?) band has been together for just over a year. So how on earth did they make the leap to the Cleveland venues so quickly?
“I asked them,” said Robbie Jay McFarland, the band’s singer and songwriter, in a recent interview with The Vindicator.
Well, it wasn’t quite that simple. The band got its music into the right hands for the concerts — Randy Rogers on Feb. 4 at Beachland and Rodney Atkins on Feb. 6 at HOB — and were deemed a worthy opening act.
“We were wondering if we’d fit in with Rodney Atkins’ fans,” said Jason Hinrichs, the band’s lead guitarist. “But the show went great.” Atkins is a pop-country Nashville heartthrob and a rapidly rising star. That contrasts with the Robbie Jay Band’s rock edge and sturdier sound.
The Robbie Jay Band released its first CD this month, a three-song sampler recorded at Ampreon Recorder in Youngstown. “We would have preferred it be longer, maybe eight or nine songs, but we needed a CD quickly,” said McFarland, explaining that promoters require one for consideration.
With a repertoire of dozens of originals, RJB’s sound reflects McFarland’s love of what he calls “old country. I like the realness of it, the grittiness,” said McFarland. “It bleeds across into my own stuff.” At shows, the band likes to throw in some rocking covers of stalwarts such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings.
Although it best fits in with the Texas-based alt-country movement, RJB is at home in Northeast Ohio’s rock clubs. That’s because the area’s country bars aren’t that interested in booking local acts who play original music. “There’s no room for us. Maybe we could open a show for a national act, but on a regular Friday night, they want a cover band,” said McFarland. “The rock clubs are more accepting.”
The Robbie Jay Band started as a duo, with McFarland and drummer Dan Dominic honing their skills at open mic nights. When they decided to flesh out their act, they enlisted bassist Ryan Rexroad. “He was a guitarist, but he wanted in so bad that he learned to play bass,” said McFarland.
The final piece of the puzzle was lead guitarist Hinrichs.
“I was a chef at the Emerald Diner in Hubbard, and I got to know Dan because he always ate there,” said Hinrichs. “We started playing together, and one day he called and said, ‘We’re looking for a guitarist; are you interested?’”
Youngstown fans can catch RJB Saturday at Cedars, where the quartet will be on a bill with Pete Drivere and the Pretty Demons and the Jellybricks.
Hinrichs said those who come to the show can expect a lot of energy. “We’re an excellent live band,” he said.
Listeners might also feel a connection.
“What we’re about comes through in our songs,” said McFarland. “People relate to them.”